National Pollutant Inventory

Substances

Chromium (III) compounds: Sources of emissions

Industry sources

Emissions to air and water may result from leather tanning industries, chemical manufacturing industries (e.g. dyes for paints, rubber and plastic products), metal finishing industries (e.g. chrome plating), manufacturers of pharmaceuticals, wood, stone, clay and glass products, electrical and aircraft manufacturers, steam and air conditioning supply services, cement producing plants (cement contains chromium), incineration of council refuse and sewage sludge, and combustion of oil and coal.

Diffuse sources, and industry sources included in diffuse emissions data

Emissions to air and water may result from leather tanning industries, chemical manufacturing industries (e.g. dyes for paints, rubber and plastic products), metal finishing industries (e.g. chrome plating), manufacturers of pharmaceuticals, wood, stone, clay and glass products, electrical and aircraft manufacturers, steam and air conditioning supply services, cement producing plants (cement contains chromium), incineration of council refuse and sewage sludge, and combustion of oil and coal.

Natural sources

Chromium is a relatively common element, naturally occurring in rocks, soil, plants, animals, and in volcanic dust and gases. Oil and coal contain traces of chromium (III). Chromium is chiefly found as the chromium (III) form in nature, and rarely as chromium (VI) compounds.

Transport sources

Motor vehicle exhaust may contain chromium.

Consumer products

Some textile and some leather products.

Key

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Factory. Credit: Michael Lindquist